Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I squint at him. “You’re not suggesting she’s the one who sent the messages, are you?”
“No, but there’s the timing issue.”
Pacing across to the window, I shake my head. “There’s no way she would do it.”
He goes back to glowering at his screen. “Not saying she would. Just thinking out loud.”
“What should we do about it?”
Jansen looks over to the stack of papers on his desk. Neither of us ever feels completely on top of our workload. “It’s just two emails. I say we ignore them unless we get more.”
CHAPTER 25
ANA
As the days go by, I’m feeling pleased with the progress I’m making as HR manager. I’ve brought in temps for several positions, filled the accounting openings, and hired two higher-level permanent employees, with a few others in the works.
Derek and Jansen have stepped in for a couple of the interviews, and while they weren’t exactly balls of sunshine, they seemed to make an effort to dial back their bad attitudes enough to keep from scaring people off.
I’ve started to turn part of my focus to employee retention initiatives, and scheduled time today with my bosses to present my ideas. We were supposed to meet mid-afternoon, but when I arrived at their offices, they were deep in conversation and asked me to come back after five. Whatever they were talking about, they seemed to be at about a nine on a grumpy scale of 1-10, when seven seems to be their default setting lately, so I was more than willing to delay the meeting.
In addition to worrying about their moods, I’m nervous because I suspect they’re not going to like some of my proposed ideas, but I plan to shoot for the stars, and see what I can get them to agree to.
It doesn’t help that it’s Friday, which is casual day at the office. Most offices are casual every day now, but Derek and Jansen set the tone at Community Bean by wearing dress slacks and dress shirts Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, they often wear jeans, and though I love how they look when they’re dressed up, they look positively edible in jeans.
I never thought I’d be jealous of a textile, but the first time I saw them on a casual Friday, I wanted to be the denim that wrapped around their thighs and hugged their backsides. And don’t get me started on how their pecs and shoulders look in polo shirts and henleys. Sigh. But even though their casual wear nearly drives me out of my mind, one of my proposals is to loosen the dress code every day, so that people in the office will be more comfortable.
When I arrive at Jansen’s open office door at a quarter after five, Derek’s in there too, and their body language reads as considerably less tense than it did earlier. Everything about their bodies looks amazing, actually, but that’s another thing altogether. Focus, Ana!
“Is now a good time?”
“C’mon in.”
Both of them watch me as I walk toward them, and my skin heats in response to their attention, but I remind myself I need to stay on track. I hug my folder to my chest as a sort of professional armor, and when I reach them, I pull out a sheet of paper for each of them. “I compiled my ideas for improving employee satisfaction and retention. This lists the main points, along with the estimated budget associated with each idea, though you’ll see that several of them require no investment at all.”
“Have a seat, Ana. Take a breath.” It’s Derek who says this, gesturing to a chair, and cracking a rare smile at my rush of words. I make a mental note that Friday afternoon may be prime time for meetings, as both of them look more relaxed than they ever seem to be here at the office.
“Ambience?” Jansen asks, already reading my list. It’s the item at the top because it’s a simple one, and he already sounds skeptical, though at least he’s not scowling.
“Yes, the work environment plays a subtle, almost subconscious factor in people’s satisfaction about their job. Adding some artwork and a few leafy green plants is a quick and easy way to brighten people’s day.” Subtly, I cast an eye around Jansen’s office, where there are no such items, and in fact, no decorations of any kind. “Currently, the office atmosphere is fairly cold and impersonal.”
“Hybrid schedule?” Derek reads aloud, having apparently jumped to a point lower on the list.
“That’s a big one. Multiple studies have shown that employees are just as productive, and far happier, when they have the flexibility to work at home a few days a week. It reduces resignations by a substantial amount.”
As I’m explaining how much money Community Bean could save by hanging onto their employees longer, their executive assistant, Gloria, knocks on the open door. “Do either of you need anything before I head out?” she asks the men. When they tell her she’s free to go, she wishes all three of us a good weekend, and then she leaves.